The Hasmonean Dynasty, which won independence on the 18th of Elul

Celebrating the 18th of Elul

The 18th of Elul was once a Hebrew festival marking the day Shimon HaTarsi achieved full independence for Judea from Seleucid-Greek rule after a brutal guerrilla war spanning nearly three decades.

Purim War

Breaking Free from Aḥashverosh

The objective shouldn’t have been greater proximity to power – to replace Haman with Mordekhai as prime minister – but rather the dismantling of an unjust system and a mass return to Jerusalem.

Purim and Amalek - pictured is Nazi Julius Streicher

Purim & Amalek

Conscious of the connection between himself and the Amalekite Haman, Hitler stated in a January 30, 1944 speech that if the Nazis were defeated, the Jews would likely celebrate ‘a second Purim.’

Mourning days of Tevet - Zion Gate

Mourning Days of Tevet

The fact that Jews still fast on this day thousands of years later speaks volumes about the length, depth & power of Israel’s collective memory.

David Raziel

The Tragic Legacy of David Raziel

Thinking outside-the-box & questioning the assumptions behind most of our political conclusions can prevent Israel’s national-religious camp from losing our way or unwittingly betraying the struggle we’ve committed our lives to.

Kitniyot: legumes and grains

Decolonizing Kitniyot

Israel’s laws and customs possess incredible cosmic significance way beyond the revealed reasons for which they were ostensibly established.

Transcending our narratives: sky above Jerusalem

Transcending Our Narratives

Those interested in solving this conflict must transcend the battle between two competing stories and construct a larger narrative inclusive enough to encompass both ostensibly rival narratives.